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5 key points to the Mavs’ NBA restart schedule, including a potential playoff primer vs. the Clippers

An analysis of Dallas' eight regular-season games, playoff pursuits, seeding chances and more.

When the NBA restarts on July 30, the Mavericks’ first priority will be obvious:

Win two games, or have Memphis lose two, to clinch the franchise’s first playoff spot since 2016.

Once Dallas accomplishes that — any combination of Mavericks’ wins and Grizzlies’ losses that equals two — the remaining regular-season schedule will provide more opportunities for nuanced focus.

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How will Dallas best prepare its young core for its first playoff run while living in a Disney World quarantine?

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What facets in the schedule — composed of games originally scheduled post-shutdown — benefit or disadvantage the Mavericks’ potential seeding?

In a season in which his popularity and success has continued to rise, will Luka Doncic again affirm the Mavs’ accuracy in drafting him after the Suns and Kings passed?

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Here are five points to keep in mind as the Mavericks prepare to resume the season.

No head-to-head try vs. the Thunder

The Mavericks (40-27; seventh in the West) entered the hiatus tied with the No. 5 Thunder (40-24) and No. 6 Rockets (40-24) in wins.

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That’s what will make Dallas’ restart opener — July 31 vs. Houston — so intriguing.

But the Mavericks won’t have a chance to gain direct ground against Oklahoma City, who they were scheduled to play in the April 15 regular-season finale.

Five of each of the Rockets’ and Thunder’s opponents are currently among the top eight seeds, compared to four of Dallas'. Houston’s eight opponents have a .586 winning percentage, higher than Oklahoma City’s (.579) and Dallas’ (.555).

Third time’s the charm vs. the Clippers?

The Mavericks have twice faced the Clippers this season — and twice lost.

But Dallas showed improvement from the first defeat (a 114-99 home setback Nov. 26) to the second (a 110-107 home loss Jan. 21). A third look at the Clippers — perhaps before a playoff series — could be a boost for Dallas.

When the Mavericks play Los Angeles on Aug. 6 — in Dallas’ fourth game back — watch for the team’s plans and execution versus Paul George. The Clippers’ star missed the January game with an injury but tallied 26 points and six steals against the Mavericks in November.

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Most intriguing game: Aug. 10 vs. the Jazz

Dallas’ immediate focus on improving its seeding involves the Thunder and Rockets.

But watch for the No. 4 Jazz to factor into the Mavericks’ outlook.

Utah is currently 21/2 games ahead of Dallas, but the Jazz have a tough slate to begin the restart. Of the six games before Utah faces the Mavericks, four come against teams currently in the playoff standings, including the No. 1 Lakers and No. 3 Nuggets.

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The Mavericks have lost twice to the Jazz this year, but the absence of Utah’s second-leading scorer, Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 23 points in both contests against Dallas, could hamper the Jazz’s rhythm.

Five days of playoff preparation

The Mavericks face the Clippers (Aug. 6), the Eastern Conference-favorite Bucks (Aug. 8) and the Jazz (Aug. 10) in a five-day stretch.

Each game will be on national TV. The every-other-day calendar will mirror the NBA’s 2020 playoff format. Matchups with Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis facing Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell will draw extra attention.

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Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle talked about wanting his young players to experience intense, clutch situations before the league’s shutdown. He just didn’t know then the opportunity would come in early August.

Some 2018 draft payback

Doncic won’t focus on his draft status — at least not publicly — during the restart, but the Mavs’ schedule offers the 21-year-old All-Star, the No. 3 pick in 2018, opportunities to celebrate the franchise turnaround he’s sparked against teams that passed on him.

Should the Mavericks beat the Rockets in the restart opener, Dallas would be in position to clinch a playoff spot in the second game against the Suns, who selected Deandre Ayton with the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.

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Should the Mavericks need another game to seal a playoff berth, they’d do so against the Kings, who selected Marvin Bagley III at No. 2.

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